Apparatus for balancing wheels



June l2, 1945. u. A. INMAN APPARATUS FOR BALANCING WHEELS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1941 |Hlm-H-HH Nl` mi.

June l2, 1945. u. A. INMAN 2,378,918

\ v APPARATUS FOR BADANCING WHEELS vFiled June 9, 1941 l 5 sheets-,sheet 2 June 12, 1945. I U' A |NMAN K 2,378,018-

APPARATUS FOR BALANCING WHEELS Filed June 9 19.41 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 12, 1945 cm1-Eo N .STATES f APPARATUSFOR'BALANCING wnransv n Ulysses A. Inman, ,1, I "L N Application June 9, 1941, serial Nt. :1.9mm` "1^ (c1. 73-`ss `7 Y l 5 claims. The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing the balance of rotatable objects, such as automobile wheels or the like, and-for cordynamic unbalance'of the` tion of the objects due to dynamic unbalanceV is most pronounced. .f

Another object is to' provide an apparatusI for testing the dynamic balance of rotatable lobjects which comprises means for continuously indicating the amount of dynamic unbalance during rotation of the objects to determine the speeds at due to` dynamic un-balance is most pronounced.v

. Another. object is to provide an apparatus for testing the dynamic balance of rotatable 4objects which comprises means for indicating the amount size and Weightioif the which the amplitude of vibration of the. objects I and location of unbalanced centrifugal forces acting upon the objects during rotation o f the Same. i Another object is to provide an apparatus for testing the dynamic balance of rotatable objects which comprises a rotatablesupport adapted to precess under the influence of dynamic unbalance of the objects about a nodal point positioned in close relation to the center of gravity of the objects.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for testing the dynamic balance of rotatable objects wherein the lag of indicated out of balance posi-v tions is maintained substantially the same for all testing conditions of the machine.

Other and further objectsv and advantages of 'l the present invention will become apparent 'from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus of the present invention and an automobile Wheel attached to the same, certain parts being shown in elevation.4

Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine' of Fig; 1

looking in the direction of vlines 2-2 thereof, the wheel illustratc'edv in Fig. lbeingr omitted.

` Fig. 3"is` lan venlarged topview of the balance tester shown in Fig. '1,l the cover being removed and certain Vparts beingv broken away,

Fig. `4 is` a longitudinal section through Vthe indicating mechanism andfaportion'of the housing and arbor ofy the-machine, the view being taken along lines 4-'4 of Fig. 3. Certain parts of the indicating mechanism have been broken away.'

Fig. 5` is an enlarged `Semin of the vvibration v indicator mechanism of the machine, the vievv be-` ing' taken along linesl-'B of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 6 isan enlarged end view of the rbalance indicating' mechanism looking in the vdirection of dicator disc and its associated parts. l

Referring now to Figs. 1 `and 2` of the drawings, A indicates 'the housing of the machine which comprises);J base'structure B and acover C. The base lstructurefB consists "of a. front wallfl, a rear wall Tandside wall'sll and 4 forming a supporting structure for the 'balancetesting mechanism 'Djoff'tlie machine.r Secured'to the side walls' 3 'axial` oft the base'structure `nv (see Figs. 2 and 3) are ilangesfTand 8, respectively, for mounting`the 'machine tof'abase such as the oor of a building Aor the likeiri any convenient manner. l 4

Thel cover C is hinged'to the upper end of the side wall 4 of the'housing, as shown at9, while brace rods H pivotally mounted at |2 to the cover C and slidably secured tor the base structureB in any conventional manner are Vemployed for* supportingthe cover in itsopen positionas shownfin Fig. 2;"I 'L' Secured totheside walls; Aand 4 near the upper end of the base structure' B are angle irons I B and Ilgr'espectively',andremovably positioned Within the upper portion 'of the base structure B an'd supported byv the angle virons I6k and I1 above referred to' are spaced trays `I8'and .I9

provide'dv'vith 'a plurality of compartments'Zl for storage of balance* wei'glitsof'various sizes.v

`Mounted within thebase structure vB and se# cured to theyendand sidewalls thereof in any convenient manneris4 a base plate 22 see Figs. 1 and ,4 to `6 inclusive) for supportingthe balance testingmechanism D ofthe-machine by means of a sleevehbearing'23f` and aframe 2 4 arranged in spaced relation with respect tojeach other., The

sleeve bearing` 23 lczoinpris'es ani` inner 'annular' bearing portion 21 p'rovided with a vbracii; 2a

and 31, respectively, while the front wall I isprovided with a circular opening 38 of larger diameter` than the, bearing openingss, and 31 (see Fig. t), within; theisleeve bear. ing 23 and the frame 24 is a sleeve 4| `of` somerespect to the bearing 6| by means of a, spacer sleeve 16 adapted to engage the shoulder 69 between the arbor portions 64 and 68.

The wheel or object to be tested is mounted upon the portion 68 of the arbor 63 in such a manner that the cones 13 and 14 enter into and engage bearings 15 in the hub portion thereof what smaller diameter than the openings 36 and.l y

31 of the sleeve bearing 23.

Interposed between the sleeveMand the sleeve bearing 23 is a bearing ring 42, preferably made from soft rubber or similar exible'material'positioned Within an annular groove v4310i the; sleeve l 4| and extending into adjacent annular grooves 46 and 41 in the bearing members 21' and 3l', respectively. The. curvaturev ot the. grooves. 46 and 41 is.- such-.that the rubber ring 42. is com.- pressedand forced. Itightly against thesleeve 4| whenI the bolts 34. aretightened and. the bearing members 21 and3iareiorced toward each other. This provides a.. resilient. lmounting, for the. end 48 of the sleevev 4| of considerablegrigdityso that the .sleeve is` normallyheldin proper,l centeredposition wi-th. respect; to thesleeve bearing. 23 and the opening38. inthe. front wall.. l or the housing A, while permitting universal lateral movement aswell as universaltilting movement of the sleevev 4*.Luwthinthe. y.bearing 23A during.

. operation ofthe machine in a manner to be describedlater on. f

The frame 24 previously referred to is secured to the base plate 22 by means crea-p.l screws 5|, and extends verticallyy from,.the..base plate y22 through the space betweelrl`- the trays i8,` and I6 a considerable distance above; the. base structure B of. the machine (see Flgsland 4to...6). 'Ihis frame is .provided with.. a.. circular opening 5.2. of considerably larger diameter than thedameter of the end 53 of the sleeve. .whichl extends into said opening. and is,v supported` thereinbymeans of abearing ring 5A. .The ringM-fis lof. -circular cross section and is received within kan annular.y groove 58inthe-frame24. l Y The ring 54 is madefrom. resilient material, preferably from softrubber of moderate. rigidity, to permit universal lateral movement of the endI 53.` of the. sleeve 4I.v Withintheopening 52A of the frame l24. Y Rotatablyv mountedI vvitlflinl the sleevev 4|l by means of ball bearings. and ,62; is :an arbor or wheelsupporting, ,shaft 63.y arbor 63. comprises portions Stand .65. of reduced diameter upon which the inner races of the bal-l bearings 6| and4 62L respectivelm are pressed while the outer races of these. bearingsare pressedinto annular recesses 6.1. and 68;. respectively, orthe ends. 48 and A53 of. the sleeve 4J. (seeFig. 4).- sof-that the arbor 63 is properly secured within the :sleeve 4| but. is free. to rotate the-same. The frontportion 68, ofthe arbor `63 protrudes from the sleeve. 4|. and isy of reduced diameter with respect to the., arbor. portion V6.4, sothat a.-.shoulder 69 is formed. The frontendof the arbor portion 68 isthreaded asfshown, at 1L. andprovided. with a clamping.. nutI 1.2,I which. bears against a cone13 which take the place of the usuall roller bearings of the wheel during the testing operation (see Fig.1). Thereupon the nut I 12 is tightened, whereby the wheel is clamped in properly centered position upon the arbor 63 for rotation as aunit therewith.

The arbor 63 comprises further a portion 18 ofy comparatively small diameter upon which a washer 19 is arranged which engages a shoulder 81* intermediate the arbor portions 65 and 16. Positioned@ uponf the arbor portion 18 is further a plate 82 held in spaced relation with respect to thefwasher 19 by means of a sleeve 83 while a nut 84. secured to the threadedI end 18a ofthe arbor portion. 18 and engaging the1plate-8-2 is--adapted tohold the washer 1-9; sleeve 8-3 and plate; 82 in xed position on the arbor 63 (seeFg. 4) Freelyslidable and rotatable on the sleeve 83 is a plate 86` and interposed between the plates 82- and 86V is a circular indicatordisc 81 of considerably'larger. diameter than plates 82. and 86. Thisv disc 81'Y is provided with a large circular opening 88 within' Which the. sleeve 83 is received. Acoil. springf89 intermediate the washer 19 and plate 86- is adapted. to maintain the plate B6 in engagement with` the disc 81 so. that` the same isv held in tricetional engagement between the plates 82 andy 8E for rotation. therewith but permitting universal lateral. shifting movement of the disc 81- in a manner to. be described later on. Positioned adjacent the frame 24. and extending around the upper portion of the. sleeve 4| isa metal band 96. Interposed between. theffree ends 91 and 98 of the rnetalbandliB4 andz alever or, bar 99 are coil springs |0| and( |82, respectively, which serve' to hold the metal band 96 against the sleeve 4| under predetermined pressure. suffieient to counteract the weight of a ywheel E' mounted upon the arbor 63, so as. .to maintain the arbori'n proper horizontal position. p

One end of the lever 99` is pivotally secured at |113 to the frame 24 while the free end of the lever 99', as shown at |84, is engaged by an adjustment screw |86 provided with a handle or knob |01'.

' The adjustment screw |06l is threadedly'- received (see Figs. 1 andifi). Thisconeisfreely.slidable upon the arbor portion.l 6.18 and; is Aazlapted.to cooperate with a second cone 14.2 on the arbor portion 68. The cone 145 isireelarl slidable onfthe arbor portion land heldin spaced relation within an interiorly threaded portion |708 of the frame 24, so that upon rotation of` the knobllly and adjustment screw |86 in one or the opposite direction the lever B9 maybe raised orlowe'red to increase orl decrease the tension of the -c'oil springs |01` and |02 to thereby permit: a'substan'- tial horizontal alignment of the arbor 163i with respect to` the bearing 213' and frame 24, irrespective of the weight of the wheel to be tested.

PivotallyV mounted on. the frame 241 at H151 is a vibration; indicator mechanism H6. 'compri-sing a vibrator arm ||1 extending: slightlyabove` the curved upper end 24a of the frame' ZIk-andproi vided with a pointer H8. Rigid'ly' secured tothe vibrator arm IH is anV ang-le member- |f22izthe lfiorivon-taly portion. |23 of whichI isV held inA en gagement, with the. metal bandv 96 byI means ot a coil spring |24 interposedL between the free end of the4 horizontal portion |/231of the angle |221 and the upper end ofthe coil spring 1:82.,.sothatrthe vibrator arm is normally held in a position. :as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 with the pointer til-8 in alignment. with a mark or. line M9' on the upper portion 24a of the frame 24 (see Figs. 1 and 3).' When the vibrator arm is in this position, i. e., the pointer I|8 thereof in alignment withfhthe mark H9, the arbor 63 is in proper horizontal alignment with respect to the bearing `|23 and.

frame 24. If the pointer II8 is not in alignment with the mark IIB, the arbor 63 is not properly positioned in its horizontal plane -but is slightly tilted. This may be due either to the weight of the Wheel E slightly compressing the lower portionA of the rubber ring 42 or excessive tension of the springs I and |02. In either case the proper alignment of the arbor 63 is effectedby turning the knob |01. in one or the other direction, until the pointer IIB is is alignment with the mark |I9. Y,

Pivotally mounted on the frame 24 at |4| above 'the disc 8`|-is an indicator arm |42 extending slightly above thecurved end 24a ofthe frame 24 and provided with a pointer |43 adapted to cooperate with a plate |44 secured upon the upper same is a roller .|49 adapted to engage the periphery of the disc 81 when the indicating arm |42 is swung from its inoperative or dotted line position to its operative or full line position, as shown in Fig. 6. Y

Pivotally mounted on the base structureB by means of a rod v|| is a brake mechanism |52 having a brake shoe |53. The rod I5| comprises a handle portion |54 for moving the brakev shoe |53 `into operative position inwhich it will engage the brake drum F of the Wheel EL to be tested (see Fig. 1). f

The operation of the balance tester isasfollows: The indicator arm |42 is placed into inoperative position as shown in dotted lines in Fig,;6 and the automobile wheel to be tested is mounted upon the arbor 63 in the manner previously stated.' Thereuponthe distance between thei side |60 ofthe tire ofthe wheel and the frontivwall of the housing A is noted. This distance should be approximately 1 to 11/2 inches for all wheels to be tested so that the conditions under which they are ytested are substantially thesame.' l Therefore, for tires and wheels of various widths; it

may be necessary to replace the spacer sleevetIS with a longer or shorter sleeve of the samezlconstruction supplied with the machine so as.to obtain the proper spacing of the tire from `the front wall A Thereupon the position of the pointer IIB is observed and if the same is not in proper alignment with the mark |,I9 on the upperend 24a of the frame 24, then the arbor 63 is not in proper horizontal alignment. To obtain aV substantial horizontal alignment of the arbor 63 the knob III'I isturned in oneor the opposite direction until the pointer II8 is opposite the mark vI I9. Upon completion of the above adjustmentthe apparatus is in proper condition for testing the static balance of the wheel. Y In testing the static balance of the wheel the same is manually turned 90 degreesand released; while at the same time the vibrator arm I|1 is snapped or jarred several times by slightly forcing the arm II'I in the direction of arrow |62 (see Fig. 5) and subsequently releasing the same. By this procedure the sleeve .4| andbearings 6I and 62 are tapped whereby any slight vfriction Ain the roller bearings is overcome and a freey turning of the arbor and wheel under the influence of the' sllghtest'static imbalance is obtained, so

thatfwhenthe wheeliis 'statically unbalanced the n ator can judge thesize of the weight necessaryA toY staticallypalance the wheel. This weight is applied at the top of the Wheel on the side of the rim adjacent the housing o f-the machine designatedlBI in Fig. l.`

After the Vweight has been firmly secured at this pointlthe wheel is again turned 90 degrees and released ,while at the sametime thevibrator arm I Il -is -snappedseveral times in the same mannerv as above described andthe voperator observes if `the wheel remains stationary or rotates. Iii-the wheelremains stationary the added weight is of; correct size andthe wheel is statically balanced.y If the wheel turns, the weight is yreplaced with a weight of different size and the above turning of thelwheel and jarring ofthe vibrator-isrepeated until the weight of kproper size tostatically balance the wheel is found. yIt

may be necessaryto obtain static balance of the wheelfto. use two small weights instead of one large weight, ,spacing them .equidistant from the located position on rthe rim, i. e., equidistant from the position of the single weight originallyattached yto the rim, l y r V Afterthewheel has, been statically balanced as above describedthe same israpidly rotated f at aspeed offapproximately 30 to 35 milesper hour (llto,4,20` RLP. M.) which corresponds tofthe average` low operating` speed of `an automobile wheel, bymeans of a portable wheel spinner of conventional design, carrying with: it the arbor63 anddisc 8l. If the wheel is dynamically unbalanced the unbalanced forces ywill cause the wheel andfarbor 63 to wobble so that the arborv will tilt, andthe ends thereof will precess or,A

gyrate aboututhe nor/mal vhorizontal raxis of the larbor, which may b eV termed the 'reference axis.

the plane offrotationkof'the Wheel, i. e., close-'to thacenter vofgravity of thewheel. The position of lthenodal .point is primarily dependent upon the. degree ofA 'compression of the rubber ring 42 which should besuch as to keep the `nodalpoint alwafyvin the samea'position and as close as possible; tothe center of gravityV of the wheel, because anyjappleciable variation of the position of thehnodal point with respect to the ,bearing 23 introduces an errorin the amount of indicatedout of balance weight of thewheel. .*Ihefvibrations imparted upon the ksleeve 4I vby the p-recession ofl the arbor A63 about .the reference axis are transferred tothe vibrator arm I,I;-'| Y by vmeans of ther band- 96 and anglev member |22, so that the arm lllfis'correspondingly vibrated about its pivot |I5.` I

While the operator observes the amplitude' of the vibrations ofethe vibrator arm .I I'I'the speed matelyl 35 to 4.0; miles per `-hour- (540 l to 600 R. P. M.) to determineif the maximum vibration of the wheel and arbor jhas been-reached. Ifno increase in the amplitude vof vibration of the 'vibrator arm ||1vis noted during this acc'elerationof the speed of rotation of the wheel, the spinner isl disengaged from the tire of the wheel and vwhile the latter is now rotating-at this speed the indicator arm |42 is swung into `operative position, as shown in vfull linesin Fig. 6, so that the roller |49 engages the periphery of the disc 81.

While the roller |49 is engaged with the disc 81 andthe wheel E and arbor 63 rotate at the desired testing speed and wobble about the reference axis, as above stated, the operator exerts a slight pressure upon the indicator arm |42 in the direction of the arrow |64 (see Fig. 6) and the disc 81 is laterally shifted until it runs true, i.- e., concentric to the reference axis. The disc 81 is properly centeredwhen the indicator arm does not vibrate while the roller-|49 is lightly held in engagement with the periphery of-the disc `81. Thereupon the indicator arm is returned toinopera'tive position andthe roller |49 is disengaged from vthe disc. The brake is applied by manipulation of the handle |54 and the Wheel is stopped so 4that the arbor G3assumes its normal horizontal position.

The indicator arm |42 is now carefully swung to operative position as shown in full lines in Fig. 6; so that the roller |49 thereofengages the periphery of the disc 81. It should be noted, howeventhat the roller |49- must -becarefully engaged with the periphery of the disc 81, so that the setting of thisdisc with respect -to the arbor 63 is not-disturbed. f

4When the roller |49 is engaged with the pethe arbor 63, and the operator observes'the total travel of the pointer |43 ofthe indicator arm over the plate |44; When the pointer is in its lowermost position thewheel is stopped and a weight is attached to the rimof the'wheel at the top of the side facing away-from the front wall I of the housing of the machine. From the amount of total travel of the indicator pointer |49 the operator is in 'a position to judge the sizeof the Weight to be added at this point of the rim to balance the centrifugal forces acting upon the Wheel during rotation `ofthe same.

' It should further be noted that in carrying out the above procedure the speed at which fthe maximum'vibration of the vibratorarm occurs is--determined and by subsequently accelerating the speed of rotation, as'previously' described, a test is made to determine if the point of maximum vibration or wobble of the wheel has been reached. If the maximum vibration Aof the vibrator arm is obtained this is the speed lat which the above test is performed. If the vibration of the vibrator arm increases," however, the accelerationvof the speed of rotation of the wheelis continued until the maximum vibration or wobble of the same is obtained and in such case the balancing of centrifugal forces acting upon the wheel'is performed at this speed. In either case, the size of the weightand its position on the wheel is determined in the same'manne'r as above stated. j

Due to the fact that in counterbalancing the centrifugal forces another balance weight has machine hasl been disturbed.

been attached to the rimA of the wheel the static balance of the wheel previously obtained by the weight secured to the inner side of the rim ad# jacent the front wall of the housing of the' -It is therefore necessary in pursuing further the method of balancing the wheel to again test and correct the static balance of the wheel in the same manner as previously set forth herein. The static balancing of the wheel is eiected by increasing or decreasing the weight at the inner side ofl the rim and/or changing the postion of this weight on the rim.

Alter the static unbalance has been corrected the Wheel is again rapidly rotated with the wheel spinner previously referred to, and the vibrations of the vibrator arm H1 are observed yby the operator. The speed of rotation of the wheel'is gradually and continuously accelerated until lthe maximum vibration of the vibrator arm V||1 is observed. It may be necessary to increase the speed of lthevwheel up to approximately 65 miles per hour (800 R. P. M.) until the maximum vibration of the vibrator arm ||1 is obtained. The speed corresponds to the average high operating speed of an automobile wheel. When this speed has been reached the spinner is disengagedfrom the wheel and while the wheel and arbor 63 :continue their rotation at this speed and wobble about the reference axis the indicator arm .|42 is swung to operative position, as shown in.full linesin Fig. 6, and the roller |49 thereof 4is engaged with the periphery ofthe indicator disc 81. By exerting a slight pressure against the indicator arm |42 the disc 81 is centered with respect to the reference axis in the same marmer as previously referred to. When the disc 8,1 has been centered Ythe indicator arm |42 is returned to inoperative position whereby the roller I 49 is disengaged from the periphery of the disc 81. The wheel is now stopped by application of the brake and the indicator arm |42 is moved into operative position so that the roller |49 will engage the periphery of the disc 81. Care should be taken, however, that the setting of the disc 81 is not disturbed thereby. With the indicator in this'position the wheel is now slowly rotated by hand whereby a backand forth movement of the indicator arm |42 is obtained in view of the eccentricity of the disc 81 with respect to the arbor 63'.

While the Wheel is manuallyv rotated in the abovemanner the operator observes the movement of the pointer |43. When the pointer `|43 is in its lowermost position the wheel is stopped and the position of the weight previously applied to the outer rim of the wheel is observed. When this weight is at the top of the wheel, the weight is too light and the same is replaced bya heavier weight; usually a 1/2 ounce heavier weight will be suiiicient. If .the positionl of the weight on rthe outer'rim portion is less than 90 down from the top of the wheel this vindicates that thetop of the Wheelis too light and that the weight on the outer rim is not exactly in the rightposition.

Alt has .been found by practical experience that when the weight at the outer side of the rim is' approximately down from the top point of the wheel, this condition of unbalance of the wheelmay be eliminated by moving the weight on the outer side of the rim approximately 2"'. up the rim linetoward the top of the fwheel.

vShould the weightron the Outer rim side be in a position approximately 20 fromthe top point of the wheel when the indicator pointer |43 i5 `distance ofthe weight from the top of the wheel.

.'Ifthe-Weight atthe outer side of the rim is inrthelower `half of the wheel when the pointer .|43` -is in its lowermost position, the Weight isftoo heavy-and .the same should be replaced witha lighter weight; usually a half ounce lighter weight willibe found Ito be'suiiicient. Care should be taken that this lighter weight is secured to the outer rim side at the same position .previously occupied by the heavier weight. y

After the balance weight on the outer side of the rim has been shifted or changed, as above stated, the Wheel is again rapidly rotated at approximately 800 R. P. M. If the amplitude ofv the vibrations of the vibrator arm ||1 at the pointer ||8 thereof is not greater than s of an inch the wheel is in proper dynamic balance for all practical purposes. However, if the amplitude of the vibrations is larger than als of an inch the static balance of the wheel is again tested and corrected. Thereupon the amount and location of any remaining centrifugal unbalance of the Wheel is determined by use of the indicator arm |42 and indicator disc 81 ing the same manner 'as last described, and the weight on the outer rim side is again shifted along the rim line a distance depending upony the position of this Weight when the pointer |43 is in its lowermost position.

The testing of the wheel and the correction of any unbalanced condition thereof is completed when the pointer H8 of the vibrator arm ||1 does .not show vibration at any ofthe testing speeds above mentioned, or only a slight vibration, the amplitude of which does not exceed elf of an inch measured at the pointer H8 of the vibrator arm vIt should be understood, however, that the utility of my machine is not limited to any particular method, but that other methods for testing and correcting the dynamic balance of a rotatable object may be practiced with it.

AS an illustration of one such alternative method, a wheel may iirst be statically balanced in the same manner as described in the rst static balance test set forth herein, and thereupon the wheel may be rapidly rotated at approximately 600 to 800 R. P. M. by means of a wheel spinner. Thereupon the spinner is disengaged from the wheel so that the same is free to wobble under the influence of any dynamic unbalance thereof. This wobbling motion of the wheel is transferred to the arbor 63 which will precess or gyrate about the reference axis in the same manner as previously referred to herein.

While the wheel and arbor rotate and wobble about the reference axis the indicator arm |42 is swung to operative position so that the roller |49 engages the disc 81. By applying a slight pressure against the indicator arm |42 in the direction of the arrow |64 (see Fig. 6) the'disc 81 is laterally shifted into a position concentric to the reference axis, whereupon the indicator arm |42 is swung to inoperative position and the roller |49 is disengaged from the disc 81.

The'wheel is now stopped by the brake mechani'si ofthe'frnachine yandithe indicatorI armv 42 is swung' into V.operative position.I so :that the 'roller 4|49 engagesthe periphery ofthe disc 8`| ,without ldisturbingothe'setting .off the same. With the indicator armLin this position the Wheel is man- 'ually `rotated and lthentotalramount of travel of the pointeriv|43 of the indicator arm |42 is observed; which enables the. operator to judge the size of the weights" necessary :to dynamically balance .thei-wheel. 11 When fthe pointer |43 is in its lowermost positionithe' wheelisstopped and a Weight'of proper Esize is applied to the top of the wheel at the 'outer-side ofthe vrim facing away f-ronithe-front` wall I -o'ffthe machine, while a .weight` of 4equalsize*is-attached to the bottom vof the wheel:I atth in'ner 'side of" the rim adjacent the front wall of the machine.

vWhile I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it is capable of variation and modification, while still employing the principles of my invention. Itis to be understood, therefore, that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretation `of the claims appended hereto. I

Having thussdesvcribed my invention, what I 1. In `a balance testing apparatus a support, an arbor, means rotatably mounting said arbor on said support for universal lateral movement rela-V tive thereto, a lever pivotally mounted on said support, resilient means secured to said lever and mounting means, and means for moving saidy lever relative to the mounting means .to vary the tension of said resilient means whereby to dispose the mounting means and arbor in a vpredetermined position relative to said support. 1

2.` In a balance testing apparatus, a support, an arbor, means rotatably mounting said arbor for universal lateral movement with respect to said support, a scale on said support, an indicator on said support and cooperating with said arbor mounting means and scale for indicating the ainplitude of vibrations of the arbor when .the latter is rotating, and means for adjusting the position of the arbor relative to the support to dispose vthe indicator in a predetermined position relative to said scale when said arbor is at rest, said adjusting means including a lever movablyV mounted on the support, resilient means secured to said arbor mounting means and lever, and means for retaining said lever in adjusted position.

3. In a balance testing apparatus, a support, spaced resilient mountings on said support, means engaging said mountings for rotatably supporting an arbor for universal lateral movement relative to said support, said arbor being'adapted to carry a Wheel to 'be tested'outside said mountings, a scale on said support, an indicator movably mounted on said support and cooperating with said arbor and scale for indicating the amplitude of vibrations of thearbor on said scale, a resilient arbor positioning device mounted on said support intermediate said mountings and engaging said means, and means for adjusting saidpositloning device to move the arbor relative to the support and to thereby dispose said indicator in a predetermined position relative to said scale when said arbor is at rest.

4. In a balance testing apparatus, a support, an arbor, means for rotatably mounting said arbor for universal lateral movement with respect to lsaid support, a scale onsaid Support, a vibratory arm mounted on said support in engagement with claim and desire to protect by U. S. Letters.v Patent said arbor mounting means for vibration therewith in correspondence with the vibration'of said n arbor during rotation of the same and cooperating with said scale -ior indicating the amplitude of vibrations of the arbon. a bar movable on the support, resilient means secured to said bar and arbor mounting means. whereby upon movement of said bar relative to the support the tension of the resilient means is varied to movethe arbor mounting` means relative to the support, and means forretaining said bar in suchposition that saidarm isdisposed in predetermined relation to said scale while said arborls at rest. i

5. In a, balance testingapparatus. a SUDDOrt. an arbor, means rotatably mounting Said arbor for universal lateral movement with respect to said said'arm in engagement with said arbor mount- A support, a scale on said support, an arm movably mounted on said support, means for mantalninz ing means for vibration therewith in correspondence with the vibration of said arbor during rotation ofthe same, said arm cooperating with said scale for indicating the amplitude of vibrations of the arbor thereon, a lever movable on the support, resilient means secured to said lever and arbor mounting means, and means for moving said iever'relative to said support for varying the tension of said resilient means to move the arbor mounting means relative to the support and to dispose said arm in a predetermined position relative to said, scale when said arbor is at rest.

ULYSSES A. INMAN. 

